Zach Peterson

Zachary Conrad Peterson

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of Illinois-Chicago
• High School Minnetonka High School

• Born November 6, 1984 in St. Paul, MN USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Zach Peterson pitched three seasons in the minors.

Peterson won 27 games in college, setting a school record. He was 10-1 with a 3.31 ERA as a sophomore, walking only 14 in 99 innings. He led the Horizon League in both wins and ERA and was named All-Conference but lost Pitcher of the Year honors to Justin Thomas. In 2006, the junior went 9-3 with a 2.42 ERA. He won the pitching Triple Crown, tying for the most wins and leading in the other two areas. He walked only 12 in 108 innings. He was again one of two All-league pitchers picked but again lost Pitcher of the Year honors, this time to another future major leaguer, Joe Smith. As a senior, Zach fell to 7-3, 3.59. He tied for the conference lead in innings (100 1/3) and was 4th in ERA. Despite his worst season of the prior three, he finally took home Pitcher of the Year honors.

Undrafted, Peterson signed with the Kansas City Royals. He was 5-3 with a save and a 2.89 ERA for the 2007 Idaho Falls Chukars with 67 strikeouts to 8 walks in 56 innings. On August 21, he set a Pioneer League record by striking out 11 consecutive batters in a game; Jeff Montgomery had once fanned 11 straight, but over three games.

The right-hander was 3-3 with five saves and a 3.13 ERA for the 2008 Burlington Bees with 82 K to 20 walks in 77 2/3 innings. He split 2009 between Burlington (3-2, 3.63) and the Wilmington Blue Rocks (2-0, 3 Sv, 2.15). He had gone 13-8 with 9 saves, a 2.99, 185 strikeouts and just 47 walks in 211 innings in Organized Baseball.

Released by Kansas City the next year, he signed with the independent St. Paul Saints.

Related Sites

• UIC bio